2026 Shining Waters
Regional Council Meeting
October 23 – 24, 2026
In-Person at New Beginnings United Church and Online
Celebration of Ministry Service – Saturday, October 24, 2026 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Quick links to sections on this page
President’s Letter | Agenda | Proposals | Meeting Resources and Materials | Registration
Welcome!
We hope you can join us for our 2026 Regional Meeting! Our annual meeting will be hybrid once again, being held in person and online on Zoom, over two days, on Friday October 23 and Saturday October 24, 2026.
The Celebration of Ministry service will be held in-person at New Beginnings United Church starting at 6:30 p.m. Or you can watch our livestream of the service on our YouTube channel.
Message from The President
Rev. Eric Nyarko
SWRC President
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – ESV. (Romans 12:2).
The theme for this year’s Annual General Meeting, “Being transformed by the renewing of our mind,” is a powerful call to both physical and spiritual growth. In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul urges believers to resist worldly influences and focus instead on an inward spiritual transformation. By doing so, we stop blindly following secular culture and undergo an internal mental shift.
This spiritual renewal enables us to discern God’s will and live in a way that reflects our faith. It inspires us to step away from temporary, worldly patterns and actively align our perception with higher, divine principles. This shift allows for a deeper understanding of what is truly good, acceptable, and purposeful.
As Christians, we must resist the pressure of surrounding beliefs. Members of the Shining Waters Regional Council (SWRC) are encouraged to embrace a spirit-filled, spirit-led attitude and a life of daily reflection. As a Regional Council, we must allow God to reshape us from the inside out so that our outward actions authentically reflect Christ’s nature.
Scripture empowers us to live a life worthy of our calling in service and purpose. By anchoring our daily lives in God’s Word, we are prepared, trained, transformed, and equipped for every good work that God has set before us.
As we gather from October 23–24 to sing, pray, deliberate, and praise our Creator together, let us invite the Holy Spirit to lead us as we reflect on these three questions.
Reflection Questions for Attendees
- In what ways are our current Communities of Faith and ministries conforming to worldly pressures rather than divine principles?
- What practical habits can we adopt individually and collectively to ensure our minds are daily renewed by the Holy Spirit?
- How can we use our time together at this meeting to better discern God’s perfect will for the future of the Shining Waters Regional Council?
I look forward to seeing you in the month of October, stay bless, and may God keep all of us.
Thank You.
Shalom,
Rev. Eric Nyarko
President, Shining Waters Regional Council
The United Church of Canada.
Join Us In-Person
New Beginnings United Church (formerly North Bramalea United Church) will once again be the home for this year’s in-person regional meeting.
They are located at 363 Howden Blvd., in Brampton (MAP) which is near Hwy 410 and Williams Parkway.
Parking: Those with a visible government issued accessible parking permit sticker may park in the New Beginnings UC parking lot. All other parking is available at the neighbouring church parking lot.
Accommodation: There are several hotels located a short drive from the church.
Meals: There will be lunch and dinner meals available for purchase for those attending. The deadline for ordering food is October 11, 2026.. Please indicate which meals you would like to purchase on your in-person registration form, lunches on both days will cost $25 and dinner on both evenings will cost $35. You will be able to pay by credit card through to our secure online payment provider Stripe. Payment in full is required at time of registration, otherwise your food order will not be included. If more than one person from your family is attending, please fill out a separate registration form and meal selections for each person.
If you have any issues with paying online please contact Susan Whitehead at swhitehead@united-church.ca
Join Us Online in Zoom
Unable to join us in person? Not to worry, we are offering a hybrid meeting this year. Simply register for the online option for the meeting and we will make sure you have the necessary Zoom link to gather together virtually. Many of us are very comfortable with Zoom, but if you’re a bit rusty please review our Zoom tip sheet.
Proposed Draft Agenda
Friday, October 23
9:00 Opening of Meeting, Acknowledgment of the Land
- Opening Motions
- Process and Holy Manners
10:30 Worship
10:50 Break
11:05 Theme Reflection
12:30 Lunch (on-site by pre-registration or on your own)
2:00 Theme Reflection
3:30 All-purpose break
3:45 Worship to Celebrate that we are an Affirming Ministry
4:05 Business 1 – Discussion
- Accountability Reports
- Nominations Presentation
- Hearing from Candidate for President-Elect
- Finance Presentation
6:00 Dinner (on-site by pre-registration or on your own)
- Nominations Close
- New Business Closes
- Farewell to Online Meeting Attendees
7:00 THEN LET US SING: songs from the new hymn resource
8:00 Closing Benediction
Saturday, October 24
9:00 Opening and Worship
9:30 Theme Reflection
11:00 Break
11:15 Business 2 – Proposals
12:30 Lunch (on-site by pre-registration or on your own)
1:30 In Memoriam
2:15 Business 3:
- Nominations – Decisions on Nominations Report
- Additional time for Proposals if needed
- New business
2:45 Closing Remarks and Courtesies
3:00 Blessing and Adjournment
Saturday, October 24
Celebration of Ministries Service to be held at 6:30 p.m. at New Beginnings United Church. The service will also be livestreamed on the Shining Waters YouTube channel.
Meeting Resources and Materials
- Resource Book – [pdf | pages] – pending
- Draft Meeting Agenda [pdf | pages] – pending
- Consent and Procedural Motions [pdf | 2 pages] – pending
- Holy Manners [pdf |1 page] – pending
- Draft Minutes of Regional Council Meeting – [pdf | pages] – pending
- Zoom Tip Sheet – [pdf | 4 pages]
- Business: Budget – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Reports: Digest of Actions – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Reports: Regional Council Executive Accountability – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Reports: General Council Executive (GCE) – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Reports: Communities of Faith Commission – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Reports: Intercultural Diversity Commission – [pdf | page] – pending
- Reports: Pastoral Relations Commission – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Reports: Social and Ecological Justice Commission – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Reports: Nominations Committee – [pdf | pages] – pending
- Reports: Emmanuel College – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Reports: The Centre for Christian Studies – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Reports: Atlantic School of Theology – [ pdf | page ] – pending
- Reports: Growth Animator Report – [ pdf | page ] – pending
- Reports: United Church Rural Ministry Report– [ pdf | pages ] – pending
- Jubilands [pdf | pages] – pending
- Retirees – [pdf | pages ] – pending
- In Memoriam – [ pdf | pages ] – pending
Meeting Registration
Please register to attend this meeting if you are Ministry Personnel or an Elected Lay Representative. Elected Lay Representatives are elected by their community of faith or by the region. Not sure if you are an elected lay representative or have other registration questions? Contact Donna Rutz at drutz@united-church.ca.
If you are unable to attend the meeting please submit your regrets below. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you this fall!
In-Person Registration (pending)
Online Registration
Send Regrets
Staff Support
PETER HARTMANS
Executive Minister
Toll Free: 1-888-747-9063, Ext. 1
Direct Phone: 249-480-0389
Email: phartmans@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council and Canadian Shield Regional Council
Location: Teleworks and spends time in each region.
Role: Peter provides leadership, counsel, and support for the governance and administration in the Regional Councils.
Contact Peter about: Budget and Policy; Media and Public Statements; Regional Joys and Concerns; Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Violence.
JODY MALTBY
Regional Staff Lead; Finance and Property Minister
Toll Free: 1888-747-9063, Ext. 2
Direct Phone: 249-489-2002
Email: jmaltby@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters and Canadian Shield Regional Councils
Location: Teleworks and works from the Guthrie Main Office
Role: Jody coordinates the support to communities of faith, including coordinating the work of regional staff.
Contact Jody about: Community Ministries, Congregational Finances, Grants, Incorporated Ministries, and Property - Development, Leases, Loans, Renovations, Sales
SUSAN WHITEHEAD
Executive Assistant and Administrative Support
Toll Free: 1-888-747-9063, Ext. 3
Direct Phone: 249-489-2001
Email: swhitehead@united-church.ca
Serves in: Canadian Shield Regional Council and Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Works from the North Bay Main Office.
Role: Susan is the Executive Assistant to Peter Hartmans and gives administrative support for the Canadian Shield and Shining Waters Regional Councils.